PADRE FREDERICO, O GRANDE ESCANDALO NA ILHA MADEIRA.

It was a mild and silent morning in Água de Pena, in the municipality of Machico, on the island of Madeira, when the authorities interrupted the local calm. On May 25, 1992, five police officers, accompanied by a senior officer, went to the Matur complex, where Father Frederico lived. Dressed discreetly, they sought to avoid unwanted attention. However, in a small town, it is difficult to hide unusual movements. When residents became aware, they began peeking out of windows and forming small groups in the streets. Curiosity grew, and the rumor of the priest's involvement in a heinous crime fueled the buzz. Frederico opened the door slowly, wearing his simple cassock. He was preparing to leave to teach his religion and morality classes in Machico. His face showed surprise and weariness, as if he were accustomed to facing adverse situations. He didn't know what he was accused of; the walk to the police car was accompanied by looks of disapproval and support. Some parishioners murmured prayers; others offered words of encouragement, but there was also no shortage of expressions of disapproval. The town seemed split down the middle, between those who defended the priest and those who judged him guilty of whatever he was accused of. At the police station, the procedures were carried out without resistance. Fingerprints, photographs, and records were taken while Frederico calmly answered questions. He reaffirmed his innocence of alleged involvement in the death of a young teenager. Meanwhile, his residence was the target of an intensive search. Although no evidence was found linking him directly to the murder, disturbing clues emerged: photographs of young people in compromising situations and videos indicating less "Catholic" behavior—intimate films with young children. National media attention was beginning to turn to Madeira. The case took on somber tones, and Frederico's trial would be one of the most remarkable in Portuguese judicial history. . . . . SOURCES AND CREDITS: THE BOOK "AFTER THE CRIME" BY RITA MARRAFA DE CARVALHO NATIONAL PRESS OF THE TIME, MAINLY RTP AND CORREIO DA MANHÃ NEWSPAPER National press of the time, mainly Correio da Manhã and RTP